Surging Hurricanes Beat Slumping Capitals 4-0

Riley Nash scored twice, Joe Corvo put one in off the goaltender’s mask, and Justin Peters got his second career shutout Tuesday night as the surging Carolina Hurricanes beat the slumping Washington Capitals 4-0, taking the first leg of a key home-and-home series between the Southeast Division rivals.

Patrick Dwyer added an empty-net goal, and Peters made 26 saves for the Hurricanes, who have won six of seven and have a 10-point lead over the Capitals, whose struggles are one of the big surprises of the lockout-shortened season. The division is essentially becoming a two-team race between Carolina and the Winnipeg Jets.

The Capitals lost their third straight — all by at least a three-goal margin.

Patrick Sharp scored two goals for Chicago, and the Blackhawks ratcheted up their defense, putting the Minnesota Wild on the brink of elimination with a 3-0 victory Tuesday night. Bryan Bickell also scored and Corey Craw